DNV GL has been awarded a contract for the classification of the passenger sailing ship Sea Cloud Spirit, built by Metalships & Docks in Vigo, Spain. Representatives from both companies came together in Vigo this week to sign the agreement.

Ordered by the Hamburg-based operator Sea Cloud Cruises, the vessel is designed to meet the increasing demand from both independent travelers and the charter market, mainly in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

“Sea Cloud Spirit will offer a new level of comfort to sailing cruise passengers. In addition to beautiful views from private balconies, it will have the first elevator ever to be installed on a large sailing ship that will connect its five different decks. DNV GL has unrivalled competence in the passenger ship sector, and both our companies have a long history of working together, so the selection of class was a natural choice,” says Alberto Iglesias, Managing Director at Metalships & Docks.

“We are very pleased that Metalships & Docks has chosen DNV GL as the preferred classification partner for this high-end sailing ship. The yard specializes in the construction of technically sophisticated ships, and we look forward to continuing our close collaboration on this exciting project,” says Torgeir Sterri, Regional Manager West Europe at DNV GL – Maritime.

“Sea Cloud Spirit will become the third addition to our fleet of luxury sailing vessels. She will offer a unique combination of luxury accommodation, technologically advanced amenities and traditional sailing, and we look forward to welcoming our first guests on board in 2020. Knowing that both DNV GL and Metalships & Docks are working on this project, gives us confidence that it will be an outstanding vessel, delivered on time with the highest level of quality and safety,” says Daniel Schäfer, Managing Director of Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH.

Measuring 138m, Sea Cloud Spirit will be equipped with 69 outside cabins, 25 of which will have a private balcony. The vessel is a full three-masted sailing ship, able to carry up to 136 passengers on luxury cruises, with 85 crew members on board. The planning firm Partner Ship Design from Hamburg will be responsible for the design of the ship’s interior. Sea Cloud Spirit is scheduled to set sail in the summer of 2020.